Almond tree named &#39;Zohar&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct almond variety of  Prunus dulcis  named ‘ZOHAR’, particularly characterized by self-fertile capability and production of high quality almond fruit with a large kernel fertile and produces almond fruit, of high quality and with a large kernel.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(f) of the IsraeliPlant Breeders' Rights Application No. 4168/08 filed Oct. 29, 2008.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus dulcis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘ZOHAR’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of almondtree, botanically known as Prunus dulcis, synonymous with Prunusamygdalus Batsch., Amygdalus communis L., and Amygdalus dulcis Mill.,belongs to the Rosaceae family, and is hereinafter referred to by thevariety denomination ‘ZOHAR’.

The new Prunus dulcis ‘ZOHAR’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventors, Doron Holland, Irit Bar-Ya'akov,Kamel Hatib and Reuven Birger, in Yizre'el Valley, Israel. The objectiveof the breeding program was to develop a new Prunus dulcis variety whichis self fertile and produces almond fruit, of high quality and with alarge kernel.

The new Prunus dulcis ‘ZOHAR’ originated from a cross made by theinventors in 2001 in Yizre'el Valley, Israel. The female or seed parentis the French, self-fertile Prunus dulcis variety designated‘TNP335(89)(887)’ (unpatented), and the male or pollen parent is thelocal Prunus dulcis variety designated ‘Um El Fahem’ (unpatented). Thenew Prunus dulcis ‘ZOHAR’ was selected by the inventors from the progenyof the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2005 in Yizre'elValley, Israel.

Asexual propagation of the new Prunus dulcis ‘ZOHAR’ by grafting ontounpatented (Prunus persica (L.) batsch×Prunus amygdalus batsch rootstockdesignated GF.677 was first performed in February of 2006 in the orchardlocated in Yizre'el Valley, Israel. Asexual propagation of the newPrunus dulcis ‘ZOHAR’ has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are firmly fixedand retained through successive generations of asexual propagation. Thenew variety reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘ZOHAR’ which in combination distinguishesthis almond tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   1. self-fertile capability;-   2. production of high quality almond fruit; and-   3. large kernel of almond fruit.

In comparison to the parental varieties, ‘TNP335(89)(887)’ (unpatented)and ‘Um El Fahem’ (unpatented), ‘ZOHAR’ differs primarily in the traitslisted in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Variety ‘TNP335(89)(887)’ ‘Um ElFahem’ Trait ‘ZOHAR’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Self fertilization AbleAble Unable Beginning of February March February flowering Time of JulyAugust July Ripening Dry Fruit shell Hard Hard, Complete Soft

Among the many commercial varieties known to the present inventors, thevariety most similar to ‘ZOHAR’ is the female parent, ‘TNP335(89)(887)’,as described in the foregoing Table 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Prunus dulcis ‘ZOHAR’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘ZOHAR’.

FIG. 1, taken on May, 13, 2009, shows a side-view perspective of afruit-bearing tree of ‘ZOHAR’, at four year old age.

FIG. 2 shows different close-up images of typical dry fruit of ‘ZOHAR’.

FIG. 3 shows different close-up images of typical kernels of maturefruit of ‘ZOHAR’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Prunus dulcis ‘ZOHAR’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength without any change in the genotype of the almond tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘ZOHAR’ as grownin Yizre'el Valley, Israel, in an open orchard, under conditions whichclosely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Thetrees of ‘ZOHAR’ were planted in clay grumusol (vertisol) soil at anelevation of about 100 meters above sea level, at latitude 32° 42′ N.,longitude 35° 11′ E. Yizre'el Valley is characterized by a Mediterraneansubtropical climate, with an average annual rainfall of about 580 mmconcentrated from November through March. Mean diurnal minimumtemperature in January is 6° C. (43° F.), and mean diurnal maximumtemperature in July is 33° C. (91° F.). Fertilization of about 250 kg/haN and 300 kg/ha K is administered per year.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includesobservations, measurements and values based on four year old ‘ZOHAR’trees grown in Yizre'el Valley, Israel, from 2006 to 2009. Quantifiedmeasurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from anumber of trees of ‘ZOHAR’. The measurements of any individual tree, orany group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.)., 1986 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under conditions of fullsunlight.

All of the trees of ‘ZOHAR’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Prunus dulcis.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Prunus dulcis ‘TNP335(89)(887)’            (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Prunus dulcis ‘Um El Fahem’            (unpatented).-   Propagation: Grafting onto unpatented (Prunus persica×Prunus    amygdalus) rootstock designated GF.677.-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.        -   Temperature.—Mean diurnal minimum temperature in January is            6° C. (43° F.), and mean.        -   Fertilization.—About 250 kg/ha N and 300 kg/ha K is            administered per year.        -   Growth regulators.—No growth regulators are used.        -   Pruning or trimming requirements.—No pruning or trimming            applied.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Observed trees were 4 years old.        -   Vigor.—Strong vigor.        -   Form.—Semi-upright, moderately dense, spreading canopy with            narrow to medium branch angles.        -   Habit.—A medium to large-sized tree with one trunk and 4-5            main brunches; main branches spreading; crown symmetrical            and elongated in shape.        -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 30° to 60° with            respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally.        -   Cropping behavior.—Production of dry fruit starts and ends            during 2 weeks from end of July in Yizre'el Valley, Israel.        -   Type of bearing.—Fruit set on branches mainly on distal part            of branch.        -   Production per year.—Fruit production depends on fruit set            which depends on prevailing weather conditions and            subsequent development of fruit.        -   Size of tree.—Height: About 5 m Spread: About 4 m.        -   Trunk.—Height: About 1.2 m Diameter: (at 70 cm above ground)            About 15 cm.        -   Main branches.—Number per tree: About 4 to 5 Length: Varies            due to elongated shape of tree; maximum of about 4 m;            minimum of about 3 m. On average, branches grow about 50 cm            to 60 cm per growing season, and then new branchlets form,            radiating from the older, primary branch. Diameter (at 4            years): About 5 mm to 10 mm Pubescence: None.        -   Spur.—Present.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Lamina.—Size: Length: About 70 mm to 90 mm Width: About 25            mm to 33 mm Overall Shape: Elliptic Base shape: Acute Apex            shape: Acute Margin: Crenate Margin undulation: None or            slight Texture: Upper surface: Glabrous Under surface:            Glabrous.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate venation from central vein to the            leaf.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 20 mm to 35 mm Diameter: About 1 mm            Texture: Smooth.        -   Stipule.—None.        -   Glands.—None.        -   Flowers.—        -   Blooming time.—Beginning of bloom in mid-February in            Yizre'el Valley, Israel.        -   Blooming period.—Up to 10 days depending on weather            conditions.        -   Fragrance.—None or vary slight.        -   Type.—Flowers are born single or clustered with 2-3 per            cluster on branches and on spurs.        -   Petals.—Number per flower: Five Color: White, RHS 155D.        -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five.-   Fruit:    -   -   Keeping quality.—Dried fruit and nuts can be stored for over            1 year.        -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.        -   Maturity period after full bloom.—End of July in Yizre'el            Valley, Israel.        -   Date of first and last picking (harvest).—About July 15^(th)            and July 30^(th) in Newe yaar, Israel.        -   Distribution on tree.—Well distributed throughout.        -   Type.—Drupe.        -   Overall shape.—Elongated.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length (along suture).—About 40 mm to 45 mm.        -   Width.—About 28 mm to 35 mm.        -   Immature hull.—Pubescence: Abundant (strong), light green,            closest to RHS 145D in color.        -   Mature in-shell nut.—Overall shape: Elongated Shape at apex:            Right angle to mucron. Length: About 32 mm to 39 mm Width:            About 25 mm to 28 mm Thickness: About 17 mm to 18 mm Weight:            About 8.0 g Thickness of Endocarp: Thick Resistance to            cracking: Strong Left over hull: Absent Keel development:            Weak Color: Medium Brown, closest to RHS 164B.        -   Kernel.—Overall shape: Ovate Apex shape: Nearly right angle.            Base shape: Truncate to rounded Size: Large Length: About 24            mm to 28 mm Width: About 14 mm to 17 mm Thickness: About 7            mm to 8 mm Weight: About 1.6 g Rugosity: Slightly rough            Pubescence: None. Color: Browish-red, closest to RHS 164A            Number of doubles: None.        -   Flavor.—Sweet.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.-   Market: Fresh market.-   Disease/pest resistance: No atypical resistance has been noted.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: No atypical resistance has been noted.-   Winter hardiness: Tolerant to temperatures down to −3° C. without    observed damage to wood and buds of dormant almond trees.-   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to 40° C.,    growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.

1. A new and distinct almond variety of Prunus dulcis named ‘ZOHAR’, asillustrated and described herein.